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Kamal-ud-Din Farooqui, 73, a retired scientist from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, was barred from the Hazratbal shrine, where he served as the Imaam-o-Khateeb, a priest who leads prayers and delivers sermons on auspicious days.
On April 5, Farooqui presided over a ceremony ahead of Friday prayers, when a non-Muslim converted to Islam at the shrine
The conversion was broadcast live on scores of social media handles. It resulted in growing criticism in Jammu and Delhi.
The episode was followed by the registration of a FIR for offences, including promoting enmity between different groups and hurting religious sentiments.
The Waqf order too said the incident has “caused confusion and chaos among the general public and has the potential to disturb public harmony”.
It felt that “both Islamic law and government regulations were not followed”.
Hazratbal shrine
Situated on the left bank of the famous Dal Lake, Srinagar, the Hazratbal Shrine holds relevance to Muslims as it is believed to preserve 'Moi-e-Muqqadas' – the sacred hair of Prophet Muhammad's beard
Hazratbal remains central to Kashmir’s politics, with the original structure built in 1623 by Sadiq Khan, emperor Shah Jahan’s subedar.
The construction of the current structure started in 1968.
It is also referred to as Assar-e-Sharief, Dargah Sharif and Madinat-us-Sani
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